Does the thought of getting into a dental chair fill you with fear? If so, you’re certainly not alone. We recognize that your fear and discomfort are real, and will do everything we can to ease your anxiety.
Our entire staff works together to ensure our patients are as comfortable as possible. We’ll offer you your choice of music, movies, and TV shows to help put you at ease – as well as some good old fashioned TLC.
But for some people, that isn’t enough – so we also offer a variety of sedation options that will ease your fear.
For mild anxiety
For patients (including children) who experience a relatively mild level of stress, we offer nitrous oxide sedation, also known as laughing gas. You’ll be fitted with a comfortable nose piece which you’ll use to breathe the slightly sweet gas, mixed with oxygen. While you will remain fully conscious, you may experience mild euphoria (some patients get giggly, hence the name laughing gas) or get a mild floating feeling.
Then, for the duration of the dental appointment, you’ll simply relax while breathing normally. When the procedure is over, we will administer 100% oxygen, and the nitrous oxide will leave your system quickly with no lingering effects.
For moderate anxiety
For patients with more moderate anxiety, we can prescribe oral medication to help manage your stress. You’ll take one dose at home the night before your appointment to relax you, then another one about an hour before you come in for you treatment.
When you arrive in our office, you will already be feeling drowsy, so you must be accompanied by a companion. During treatment, we will cover you with a cozy warm blanket and monitor your vital signs at all times. More medication may be given depending on the procedure and the length of your appointment. Once you are totally relaxed and comfortable, we will take care of your dental needs. Then, when we have completed your dental treatment, your companion will take you home so you can rest.